Dung midden

Brown-veined whites (Belenois aurota aurota) white rhino dung

Rhino in Namibia

Mountain gazelle (gazella gazella)

Dik-dik (male) -Tarangire National Park -Tanzania

Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) (32413640451)

Dung midden refers to a type of archaeological feature consisting of a heap or mound of animal dung that has accumulated over a long period of time. These middens are important to archaeologists and paleoecologists because they can provide valuable information about past human and animal activities, environmental conditions, and the interaction between humans and their environment.

Formation and Composition

Dung middens are formed through the accumulation of dung from domesticated or wild animals. In areas where animals are corralled or where they naturally congregate, dung can accumulate in large quantities. Over time, these accumulations can become compacted and preserved, especially in arid or semi-arid environments where the lack of moisture helps in the preservation of organic material.

The composition of dung middens can vary greatly depending on the types of animals contributing to the midden, the environment in which the midden is located, and the time period over which the midden accumulated. Typically, dung middens contain a mix of fecal matter, plant material, and sometimes artifacts or ecofacts that have been incorporated into the midden.

Archaeological Significance

Dung middens are of significant interest to archaeologists for several reasons. Firstly, they can provide direct evidence of the types of animals that were present in a particular area at a specific time. This information can be used to infer patterns of domestication, trade, and animal husbandry practices.

Secondly, the plant material found within dung middens can offer insights into past environments and climates. By analyzing the types of plant remains preserved in the dung, researchers can reconstruct past landscapes and understand how humans and animals adapted to changing environmental conditions.

Furthermore, artifacts and ecofacts found within dung middens can shed light on human behavior, including tool use, dietary practices, and waste management strategies. In some cases, dung middens have also preserved human fecal matter, providing direct evidence of human diet and health.

Research Methods

The study of dung middens involves a variety of research methods, including archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, and geoarchaeology. Archaeobotanists analyze plant remains to identify the species present and infer environmental conditions. Zooarchaeologists study animal bones and other remains to understand animal husbandry practices and human-animal interactions. Geoarchaeologists examine the stratigraphy and formation processes of dung middens to understand how they were created and preserved.

Examples

One of the most famous examples of dung middens are the hyrax middens found in the Middle East and Africa. These middens, created by the rock hyrax, have been used to reconstruct thousands of years of environmental and climatic history. Similarly, in North America, packrat middens have provided valuable insights into past ecological conditions.

Conclusion

Dung middens are a unique and valuable source of information for archaeologists and paleoecologists. By studying these features, researchers can gain insights into past environments, human and animal activities, and the interactions between cultures and their surrounding landscapes.